Beverage status indicator device

ABSTRACT

In some examples, a beverage status indicator device includes a beverage attachment temporarily positioning the device to a beverage container, a status display displaying a current status of the beverage, and, optionally, an advertisement area displaying an advertisement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/148,683, filed on Jan. 30, 2009, entitled “BEVERAGE STATUS INDICATOR DEVICE”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Restaurants, bars, and other establishments serving drinks to patrons tend to be crowded, noisy environments. Additionally, in many of these locations, patron movement within the establishment can occur often and is even encouraged. For example, patrons may be encouraged to visit different rooms of an establishment to eat, see entertainment, etc. As another example, patrons consuming beverages may periodically use the restroom, go outside to smoke, etc. Currently, there is no mechanism by which wait staff at such establishments can determine what a patron wishes to do with his or her beverage when the beverage is left on a table, bar, chair, etc., while the patron is away.

SUMMARY

In some examples, a beverage status indicator device includes a beverage attachment temporarily positioning the device to a beverage container, a status display displaying a current status of the beverage, and, optionally, an advertisement area displaying an advertisement.

In an example, a beverage status indicator device includes a beverage attachment temporarily positioning the device with respect to a beverage container and a status display displaying a current status of the beverage.

In an example, an article of manufacture includes a beverage status indicator card. The card includes an attachment mechanism to position the card over a lip of a beverage container including a beverage for drinking by a consumer and a status display displaying a current status of the beverage.

In an example, a beverage status indicator system includes a beverage attachment removably affixing the beverage status indicator system with respect to a beverage container and an electronic, alphanumeric status display displaying a current status of the beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example beverage status indicator device including a beverage attachment and a status display.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example beverage status indicator device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example beverage status indicator device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example beverage status indicator device.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example beverage status indicator device.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example beverage status indicator device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example beverage status indicator device.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.

As shown in FIG. 1, a beverage status indicator device 100 includes a beverage attachment 110 and a status display 120. The beverage attachment 110 removably attaches or anchors the beverage status indicator device 100 to a beverage container. The beverage container can include, for example, a bottle, a glass or plastic cup, a ceramic or other mug, a pitcher, a tube, a pot, etc. The beverage attachment 110 can include, for example, a flap, a slit or opening in the device 100, a hook, a clip, a clasp, a clamp, a ring, a stick or post, etc. In certain embodiments, the beverage status indicator device 100 can include a plurality of attachment mechanisms. The beverage attachment 110 serves to temporarily or removably affix the device 100 to a beverage so that a viewer, such as a patron or establishment wait staff, can read the status display 120 and/or other information displayed on the device 100 with respect to the beverage.

The status display 120 provides a message and/or other content indicating a status of the beverage with respect to a partaker or owner of that beverage. For example, the status display 120 can indicate that the beverage drinker is currently using the restroom and the drink should not be disturbed. As another example, the status display 120 can indicate that the customer drinking the beverage is outside smoking and the drink should not be disturbed. As a further example, the status display 120 can indicate that the drinker will be returning and would like a refill. As another example, the status display 120 can indicate a certain color and/or pattern to attract the attention of the wait staff and/or indicate a certain status (refill, hold, take, etc.) of the beverage to the viewer. In certain embodiments, the beverage status indicator device 100 can include a plurality of status displays 120. For example, multiple messages (e.g., gone to bathroom, gone to smoke, gone home—please take my drink, be right back—please refill, etc.) can be displayed simultaneously on one or more status displays 120.

In certain embodiments, different status displays 120 can be located on different sides of the device 100, and the user manually positions the device 100 with respect to the beverage to indicate a current status of the beverage. In other embodiments, a user can select among different status messages (e.g., via a scroll wheel, one or more buttons, slider, etc.) to be displayed in a status display 120 window.

In certain embodiments, the beverage status indicator device 100 can include one or more advertisement areas 130 separate from the status display 120. Alternatively, the status display 120 and the advertisement area 130 can be combined and/or otherwise intermixed. Information in the advertisement area 130 can relate to an establishment (e.g., a restaurant, bar, club, and/or other venue, for example) at which the beverage is being consumed. The advertisement area 130 can be used to provide information regarding a separate entity as well. Information in the advertisement area 130 can be alphanumeric text and/or graphical images, for example. If the device 100 is implemented electronically, a screen or other display representing the advertisement area 130 can provide alphanumeric text, graphical images and/or video, audio, and/or other multimedia content, for example.

In certain examples, the advertisement area 130 can include an advertisement, a coupon, a promotion, etc. for an establishment and/or product. For example, a drink coupon can be included on/as part of the device 100 for redemption at an establishment. As another example, a coupon and/or promotion can randomly or pseudo-randomly be generated for display on a device 100.

In certain examples, the beverage status indicator device 100 can be placed adjacent to or near a beverage container rather than being affixed to, attached to, or positioned on the container to indicate beverage status.

In an embodiment, the beverage status indicator device 100 can be constructed from a durable paper or card stock in a single piece for ease of manufacture and assembly. One or more status displays 120 can be printed on the paper or card stock. One or more advertisements 130 can be printed on the paper or card stock as well. A cutout can be made in the card using a punch, press, or cutter, to form the attachment mechanism 110, which can be placed over the lip of a beverage container, for example. The cutout can be a straight and/or curved cutout, for example, produced by a manual and/or automated cutting mechanism. Alternatively, the attachment mechanism 110, such as a clip, clamp, hook, clasp, ring, etc., can be affixed to the device 100 after device construction, such as by glue or other adhesive, stitch, rivet, stamp, clamp, clasp, etc. In an embodiment, a plurality of indicator devices 100 can be printed on a sheet of paper or card stock. The sheet can then be separated into a plurality of individual beverage status indicator devices 100 using a manual and/or automated cutting mechanism, for example.

In certain embodiments, the device 100 can be implemented using electronic components, for example. For example, the device 100 can include a plastic, metal, and/or composite housing, for example. Within the housing, openings for the status display 120 and/or advertisement area 130 can be formed. Alternatively and/or in addition, information for the status display 120 and/or advertisement area 130 can be stamped, printed, etched, and/or otherwise imaged/imprinted on the device 100. A screen, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), series of one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), plasma display, and/or other display mechanism can be used to provide the status display 120 and/or advertisement area 130. A microprocessor and/or electronic controller can be provided with in the device 100 housing to control the status display 120 and/or advertisement area 130. The processor/controller can include a receiver and/or transmitter to facilitate exchange of information between the processor/controller controlling the status display 120 and/or advertisement area 130 and an external system, such as a server. The attachment mechanism 110 can be created as an opining in the device 100 housing, formed as part of the device 100 housing, and/or affixed to the device 100 housing, for example.

FIGS. 2-4 provide some example beverage status indicator devices for purposes of illustration only. It is understood that the depictions shown herein are merely examples and do not exhaustively cover all implementations. As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage status indicator device 200 includes a curved attachment mechanism 210 cut into the body of the device 200 for positioning over the rim or lip of a beverage container. The device 200 includes a split status display 220-221 providing a first part of the status message 220 above the attachment mechanism 210 and a second part of the status message 221 below the attachment mechanism 210. Below the second part of the status message 221 lies an advertisement 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates a beverage status indicator device 300 includes a curved attachment mechanism 310 cut into the body of the device 300 for positioning over the rim or lip of a beverage container. The device 300 includes a split status display 320-321 providing a first part of the status message 320 above the attachment mechanism 310 and a second part of the status message 321 below the attachment mechanism 3 10. Below the second part of the status message 321 lies an advertisement 330. In an example, the beverage status indicator devices 200, 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3 can form two sides of a single beverage status indicator device.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an attachment mechanism 410 for a beverage status indicator device 400. As shown in FIG. 4, rather than an opening or slit in the device 400, the attachment mechanism 410 is a clip, clamp, clasp, etc., that can be removably attached or affixed to a beverage container, as discussed above.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example device 500 having an attachment mechanism 510 and an indicator light 520. The device 500 can also include an alphanumeric text display area 530.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example device 600 having a ring attachment mechanism 610 for placement around a lip of a beverage container, for example.

FIG. 7 depicts a plurality of example attachment mechanisms 710-713 in card devices 700-703.

Thus, certain examples contemplate methods, systems and computer program products on any machine-readable media to implement functionality described above. Certain examples can be implemented using an existing computer processor, or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired and/or firmware system, for example.

Certain examples can include computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon to, for example, generate display of alphanumeric, graphical, audio and/or multi-media content and/or receive user selection and/or other input with respect to such content. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of certain methods and systems disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represent examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps.

Certain example implementations can be practiced in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers having processors. Logical connections may include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN) that are presented here by way of example and not limitation. For example, a beverage status indicator device can be in communication with a central server that tracks one or more beverage status indicator devices. The central server or other processor can relay information regarding device status to wait staff, management, etc. Such networking environments are commonplace in office-wide or enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet and may use a wide variety of different communication protocols. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such network computing environments will typically encompass many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Certain example can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Although certain methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. To the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A beverage status indicator device comprising: a beverage attachment temporarily positioning the device with respect to a beverage container; and a status display displaying a current status of the beverage.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an advertisement area displaying an advertisement.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the advertisement comprises at least one of a coupon or a promotion.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the status display comprises a programmable electronic display.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the beverage attachment comprises a mechanism removably affixed to a lip of the beverage container.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the beverage attachment comprises at least one of a tab, a ring, a clamp or a clasp.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the current status comprises at least one of a refill status, a leave status, and an order status.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a card upon which the status display is printed.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the status display comprises a light emitting diode.
 10. An article of manufacture comprising; a beverage status indicator card comprising: an attachment mechanism to position the card over a lip of a beverage container including a beverage for drinking by a consumer; and a status display displaying a current status of the beverage.
 11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, further comprising an advertisement area displaying an advertisement.
 12. The article of manufacture of claim 11, wherein the advertisement comprises at least one of a coupon or a promotion.
 13. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the beverage attachment comprises at least one of a tab, a clamp, a clasp, or a ring.
 14. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the current status comprises at least one of a refill status, a leave status, and an order status.
 15. A beverage status indicator system comprising: a beverage attachment removably affixing the beverage status indicator system with respect to a beverage container; and an electronic, alphanumeric status display displaying a current status of the beverage.
 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an advertisement area displaying an advertisement.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the advertisement comprises at least one of a coupon or a promotion.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the status display comprises a programmable electronic display communicating with a remote system.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the beverage attachment comprises at least one of a tab, a ring, a clamp or a clasp.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the current status comprises at least one of a refill status, a leave status, and an order status. 